zookota123
Debutant
- Oct 25, 2015
- 148
- 164
- AFL Club
- Carlton
Alright boys its gametime, welcome to my 2018 phantom draft and my 4th straight one. Every year I have enjoyed putting my hard work into this so you all can have a enjoyable read and share all thoughts. This year will be a little different to my other drafts, due to this being a much weaker draft in my eyes compared to 2015-2017 and the fact that live trading will make an appearance which will dramatically change the course of the draft. I will not being doing in depth write ups for the first 2 rounds as I always do, instead I will only give depth write ups for the first 10 prospects and than after that do the draft pick by pick until round 2 finishes. Alright to start off I will say that there are 3 clear main players that standout of the pack who are obviously Sam Walsh, Izak Rankine and Jack Lukosius. However between all those 3 players as standouts, there is still some distance between each other and I will explain my thoughts. This whole year I couldn't choose between Izak Rankine or Jack Lukosius as the number one standout due to both being phenomenal once in a decade type players. It was just neck and neck between only those two, but after watching videos over and over and researching them non stop, one of them has just shot out in front by a mile. I get way too excited seeing this guy and he is like nothing I have seen before in a long time and that champion is Izak Rankine!! In the top 10 descriptions I will explain more about the standout three with pros and cons and the distance between each other.
My top 12 personal best players of this draft
Now to start off I am going to do something completely different and to make this phantom draft even more unique. We all know that live trading has now been introduced to the AFL Draft to add shock and big surprises. Not everything we hear is going to be a cinderella story in which it is so perfect or written to the script. I personally think that this isn't a super draft however there are three super players to choose from and a few above average players but it starts thinning out quickly. Everywhere I am hearing from the media to other phantom drafts being exact the same is that Lukosius and Rozee will go to GC together and Sam Walsh to Carlton. Carlton needs midfielders and for pick 1 Sam Walsh would be a great addition as he is a great midfielder. However Stephen is a smart guy and thinks outside the box and he literally has the power in his hands to change this whole draft by either picking Sam Walsh as Carltons first pick or trade there pick 1 to Gold Coast. There is absolute no way in hell Stephen will be trading pick 1 to Adelaide for picks 8,13 and 16 especially in a draft that slowly weakens. Think of it like this, Gold Coast wants players that will fully commit to the club and not stuff around the club by wanting to go back home or seek elsewhere. Do we really think Gold Coast will want to take the risk on Jack Lukosius and Connor Rozee (who are both great players) at 2 and 3 knowing there could be some flight risk. GC are also looking for more midfielders to welcome in the club and thats where Sam Walsh plays a role. He is the best rated midfielder in this draft and I'm sure Gold Coast have thought about taking him. The positives for him going to GC is that he supports Brisbane Lions which is a Queensland team, he has family connections in Queensland, he has also mentioned that he is not a flight risk which would have GC salivating from their mouths. I have Gold Coast offering pick 2+3 for Carltons pick 1 and possibly a future first rounder for next years draft. Being called a superdraft this whole year and the first possible 1-7 picks touted as super players why wouldn't SOS accept that. He would basically be trading Pick 1 (superpick) and possible next years first which could be anything for two super player picks at 2+3. I think this will happen and change everything. Saints would have the next pick at 4 and anything could happen here. Saints could either keep it and pick one player wisely or what I think will happen is Port or ADE will be throwing picks all around for saints pick 4 so they could pounce on a possible Jack Lukosius or Izak rankine who could be available. I see Port winning this race by trading pick 5 and 10 for St Kildas pick 4 which is a no brainer for St Kilda to accept as they gain pick 5 which is 1 spot ahead of 4th pick and an extra pick of 10. Anything could happen since its live trading but this is how I see and I stand by it. After all this talk I think its time to start the phantom draft and let the show begin.
Round 1 Drafting
Pick 1 Gold Coast - Sam Walsh - I have Sam Walsh going to Gold Coast at pick one because I think GC will try and suss a deal with Carlton to grab their number one pick. If Gold Coast does get first pick I think they will pounce on Sam Walsh 99%. If Carlton keeps there number one pick, its all hyped they will choose Sam Walsh with it because Carlton desperately needs midfielders. It’s like an old saying you think with your willy and not your brain. Do Carlton take Sam Walsh because they need a midfielder or do they take the best player in the draft who is Izak Rankine. This is the only reason I put Sam Walsh here because I have the biggest feeling Gold Coast are going to go all out on pick 1 for Sam Walsh. Now onto Sam Walsh himself, he has been the clear best midfielder this whole season demolishing all opposition. He has a phenomenal work rate and runs all day racking heaps of the ball in every angle and spot he can find it. The ball can be anywhere and you’ll just spot Sam in the background out of nowhere pouncing on the ball and releasing it to his team mates with ease. So smooth getting the ball either from the air or even on the ground he just knows where to be at the right time and wastes no time to use it to his advantage. Whether it be from the inside or outside he has a beautiful run and carry with the ball and disposing it to either team mates or shooting at goal. He has some spurs of Josh Kelly to me which I love and hope he can carry that on to AFL level. Now for the reason why I rate Sam Walsh behind Izak Rankine and Jack Lukosius is because I I feel like you can find a Sam Walsh or a really really good midfielder every year in a draft. Whereas an Izak Rankine or Jack Lukosius with their special talents come once a decade. Jack and Izak have been playing against adults in the SANFL since they were both 16 years old and have been marking there territory ever since. They both actually scored 4 goals in each of their debuts against adults in SANFL which is crazy. If they can do well in SANFL and make names for themselves there than you already know its a good start to the AFL. Not only that but last year when all three Lukosius,Walsh and Rankine played in the under 18s National Champs last year against the older boys, Walsh didn’t look as good as he is now compared to the other two. Walsh averaged 29 disposals in TAC last year and 30 disposals in TAC this year as well as 29 disposals in the National champs this year. However in last years Under 18 National champs he averaged 20 disposals 4 marks and 3 tackles which is good but not as good when he is against bigger and older opposition. Rankine as a small forward averaged 19 disposals 4 marks and 2 tackles which is quite similar stats to Sam Walsh who played inside mid. For me I think he dominated more in his National champs and TAC level due to a weaker draft year compared to last years. Last years group of players were all pretty well built and solid compared to this year with quite a few prospects being light framed. In the end I see Walsh going to GC and I hope he reaches his full potential and becomes a top player to remember because he deserves it.
Pick 2 Carlton - Izak Rankine - If SOS trades pick 1 to GC and they snatch Sam Walsh, without a doubt I do not see Carlton hesitating whatsoever with taking Rankine the best player in this years draft with pick 2. He is one arrogant, cocky son of a gun but I love it because he backs it up all the time. I can’t seem to wrap my finger on why he is not getting as much attention as Walsh or Lukosius has been. He has been in the under 18 All Australian 2 years straights and can get half as much disposals as Sam Walsh yet still dominate and change the game on its head with every skilful move and use of the ball, not making one wrong choice. Izak can randomly kick a ball in any position and different angle on the ground effortlessly yet still does damage and making heads turn. For the height of a 180cm small forward he can leap and take some good pack marks making everyone jump to there seats. He has the most perfect evasiveness and agility to just glide through opposition like a razor sharp knife in soft butter, just cuts through easily. When put in the midfield he can do very well and get quite a few of the contested ball easily, however whats stopping him completely of fulfilling a full mid role is his endurance similar to what Raynor is going through. If he can improve his endurance I can no doubt see him as a massive weapon in the midfield either inside or outside. For now he just does what he does and thats dominate the forward line by kicking plenty of goals with the help of having a complete footy IQ and goal sense. Izak Rankine is exactly what any clubs needs or should have and will be a special addition to Carlton to help them throughout their rebuild and make them more dangerous. Plus if Rankine does go to Carlton it will make it even better since they can rub it Adelaides face. There could definitely be some small flight risk with Rankine but what makes me feel that Rankine would be right at home here is that he looks up to Eddie Betts who is mentoring him and I am sure Eddie would say nothing but amazing words how good Carlton were to him and how he loved the club. It’s a shame what Malthouse did to Eddie, but now the club has a very young list and will have big open arms to Rankine and I can tell you right now he will fit in to the young group so well.
Pick 3 Carlton- Bailey Smith -Carlton are in need of midfielders which is a no brainer, and who I have to replace Sam Walsh if all goes to plan is the next best mid Bailey Smith. Instead of having pick 1 and going for just Sam Walsh with picks 69,71,77 straight after they can trade pick 1 and a possible next years first round for picks 2 and 3 which Carlton can receive the most exciting player and clear best Izak Rankine and midfielder Bailey Smith who is not too far behind Walsh. Add all that up and that is a big win in my eyes instead of just going for Sam Walsh with pick 1. Now on to the point why Bailey Smith is a gun and how he suits Carlton to a tee is the fact he is an absolute all rounder who can play both inside or outside. He has very good vision of the ball and places himself in a perfect position to cleanly demonstrate getting the football by himself and speed off away from the contest and kick to team mates without ease. Not only that but if he sees anyone near the ball that he wants, he will take you out easily with no thoughts holding back. What makes him excel in the outside mid as well is his big tank which allows him to run all day racking the ball and either bringing it down to his team mates in the forward line or even going for goal himself as the kid can affect that scoreboard with his accurate kick. I think Bailey would be a great addition to Carltons young brigade and a nice fact is that he trained with Carlton early on this year during pre season so I think they will know more about him and will have confidence in picking him if they believe they can get something good in return for pick 1.
Pick 4 Port Adelaide - Jack Lukosius - Could Jack be the big slider out of the three super draftees Izak,Sam and himself? The talent is definitely there with Jack but I don’t see Carlton using there pick 1 on him with Carlton slowly emerging that forward line and bringing in Mcgovern. Gold Coast could definitely use a Jack Lukosius in the team but flight risk could be there and I’m sure they will choose Sam Walsh over him who is a certain with no flight risk and a great midfielder that Gold Coast are dying for. This leaves Saint Kilda with pick 4. Do they keep it and pounce on Lukosius rubbing it in Adelaide or Port Adelaides faces as the talks are there is a big resemblance of him to Saint Kilda great Nick Riewoldt who hint hint played for Saint Kilda. Or do they show a little compassion and help out one of Adelaide or Port Adelaide gaining more picks for pick 4. I think the thought of taking a chance on Lukosius at pick 4 is to die for but in the end I assume they will accept a good offer of pick 5 and 10 from Port Adelaide for pick 4 which can help St Kildas list. I rate Jack extremely high as an outstanding player and is ranked number 2 in my personal rankings. There are some talks from some people I hear around that they think he is overrated or possibly being a flop like Jack Watts , let me try and reaffirm you about that. The reason why Jack Watts never reached his full potential is because he lacks self confidence, motivation and is standout lazy. Those 3 things brought him down and with mediocre games building up and up even built those 3 traits higher. Watts doesn’t have the mindset and work rate that Lukosius already excels in. Lukosius has been playing SANFL against adults for 2 years straight dominating which has increased his work rate and surely gave his confidence a boost knowing if he can do well in SANFL he can surely do even better in the AFL when time goes by. Lukosius booted 4 goals in his first SANFL debut, which is nuts so I don’t see what will stop his mindset and pure excellence as a player when he steps in. There is still so much he needs to learn and build on, with his body still not fully developed. He is a very skilled light body forward that will only get better by putting in the hard work to make him built bigger. Look at Franklin and Riewoldt when they first got drafted, they were both skinny praised forwards and that for a reason. Lukosius has great speed and run for the ball as well as a marking machine who hardly drops the ball. As a key forward he has great endurance like a midfielder that allows him to run all day and can even go from the wing to half forward line and just dominate. Jack just knows how to create space with his fantastic vision and footy IQ as well as the fact he can affect the scoreboard with his very precise and accurate kick. If Port Adelaide get pick 4 from St Kilda and use that pick for Jack Lukosius they will be over the moon since earlier in the year he was also training with them in pre season and not Adelaide. With some talent leaving Port Adelaide via AFL trade week I am sure they would be happy receiving Ryan Burton and a possible Jack Lukosius for future years.
Pick 5 St Kilda - Max King - Bye bye pick 4 and welcome pick 5 and 10. With pick 5 warmly welcomed to St Kildas hands they will go for the player they have been helping out in rehabilitation ever since he injured his knee and someone who would replace Lukosius who I’m sure would be on St Kilda radar if he was available at pick 4. I like Max King but I’m not a big fan of his. Yeah sure he is a extremely athletic super tall key forward who can run fast on lead of mark or ground level and played a phenomenal first game to the year in this years TAC having 19 disposals, 9 marks, 2 hitouts and 8 impressive goals which made him shoot up to Pick 1 contention. However I feel his extremely tall height against these young kids is just too good for them, but he doesn’t have that bad of hands with his long giraffe arms. If Max had shorter arms and 6-7cm shorter in height I don’t think he would be rated as he is now, especially if he didn’t have that big first game in TAC. His kicking for me needs work too since sometimes it doesn’t make the distance at all when shot at goal or his targets to team mates miss easily. Although those little faults I still think he is athletically gifted for a tall key forward and reads the ball well also with the help of his big leap taking big marks against an opposition or group of opposition. Still is obviously raw but with experience in the AFL and more bigger body defenders obviously going to go hard at him and push him around like a baby, but it should only build confidence to be better. Lets hope he doesn’t have a weak mindset and have anymore issues with that knee when he joins AFL because if he can show later in his career what he did to Oakleigh chargers than he can be very good.
Pick 6 Gold Coast - Jye Caldwell - Now some people would be thinking what the hell is Jye Caldwell doing here this early at pick 6, well let me explain. If all goes to plan and GC do go for pick 1 from Carlton to take Sam Walsh, than I think they will also add Jye Caldwell at pick 6 to pair with Sam Walsh since GC are starting all over in rebuilding draftees and I only see them drafting mid talent early on. Not only that but Sam Walsh and Jye Caldwell are good friends and played together at Vic Country as well as both not being flight risk at all. Last year I posted towards this years talent and only boasting for two players I was very excited about and they were both Sam Walsh and Jye Caldwell, I think my earlier thoughts are giving me a hint they are going to play with each other. Before Jyes bad run of injuries this year he showed why he was a top 10 contention pick with his amazing athletic background. He did boxing with my younger brother and I know for a fact this kid is extremely athletic, hardworking, mongrel characteristics, big work ethic and very driven to high expectations. His got great spurts of speed which help him burst through the inside and use his grunt and fast hands to grab the ball and distribute it away safely to his team mates. He reminds me a bit of this years norm smith medallist Luke Shuey who has those great spurts of speed through stoppages and doesn’t care who you are he will just tackle you to get that ball, also dragging the ball to the forward line and taking shots. If Gold Coast really want to rebuild and build a young list from fresh I think they should take young midfielders early on for this year who are not flight risks and will put everything in for an opportunity and to try and get the best out of GC and I believe both Sam Walsh and Jye Caldwell fit that perfectly.
Pick 7 Western Bulldogs - Jordan Clark - One of my favourite clubs who remind me of myself ahem (Brisbane and Melbourne now taking over) who think outside the box and draft some guys you wouldn’t expect that just flourish and really settles in with the style the club is going for. I was extremely close to putting Ben King here who I personally think would suit WB to a tee as Dale Morris’s time is nearly up and Marcus Adams sent off to Brisbane. However WB recruiters like to go more with there own flow and formula by going a little more outside the box that can benefit and help the team. I did like Ed Richards in last years draft because even though he didn’t get the ball that much he used it very well and some parts reminded me of Heath Shaw and when WB drafted him I was shocked but not shocked at the same time knowing WB. Ed Richards did not look out of place in the club too and when they gave him stints at half forward he looked really good. With both Easton Wood and Matt Suckling not getting their bodies right and ageing seems to me they should add a great attacking half back to slot right through the team. They added Duryea into the list to help out the back and give some experience since he is a two time Premiership player, but I don’t think that will be enough. They even used Caleb Daniel in the half back near end this year which to be honest he didn’t look too shabby. I think though WB will draft Jordan Clark who I have been watching very closely past 3 weeks and I rate him really highly considering he is underrated. He reminds me of a less polished Harry Perryman but still a gun. I love the way he just goes all out in the backline and can put himself in any position to be found and get the ball to his own advantage. The way he reads the ball and than delivers it smoothly with his calm demeanour is really soothing to watch. He has nice clean hands and backs it up with a thumping kick straight to his team mates. He tackles a bit but Im not that much of a fan of his tackles I am more of a fan of the pressure he gives to his opponents that make them feel really uncomfortable and nervous to the point its easy to get the ball off of them. I see Jordan Clark,Bailey Williams and Ed Richards teaming up together and making that half back shine.
Pick 8 Adelaide - Connor Rozee - Although Adelaide are really keen to get Lukosius or Rankine I just don’t see it happening with picks 8,13,16,21 available unless maybe a next years draft pick could be involved somewhere but at this rate I think they will keep all picks. I have mr composure Conor Rozee slotting into Adelaide’s side in which I think they will be very happy with. Connor is one of the most composed players in this draft its unbelievable. I would love to see him get more of the ball because every time he touches the ball he knows exactly how to get rid of it to perfection whether it be in the most under pressure circumstances or even straight mid air. He is extremely talented and athletic and just looks great either on the ground or in the air leaping to mark or quickly handball to a team mate accurately from mid air. Has nice speed and evasiveness and can just offload the ball to safety. Can play many positions and if his endurance can be built more on I think I’d like to see him as a half back or winger.
Pick 9 GWS - Liam Stocker - It was between two picks for me here and they were both Liam Stocker and Riley Collier Dawkins. I think both players would do so well here as they are inside midfielders in which in GWS case they did lose Dylan Shiel and Will setterfield plus outside runner Tom Scully. I rate both of these kids high as they are in my top 10 personal favourites, but with Riley Collier Dawkins even though I see nothing but a gun player who has heaps of room for improvement I see the same issue what stocker has which is his endurance. They both lack endurance as inside mids but between the two I think RCD is the one with the worst endurance and he racks less of the ball than stocker does. RCD uses the ball extremely well and doesn’t waste a possession and he has blistering spurts of speed which is awesome for a kid his height and weight, but overall I think his endurance and the fact he can go missing sometimes in a game which can badly effect his ball gets will bring RCD in my eyes around the 20s-mid 30s even the the talent he possess. Onto Stocker I rate him as a very strong inside mid and in fact since losing Setterfield and Shiel I think Stocker would be a great get and potentially take Shiels role in years to come with progression. Quite similar to Shiel he is a big bodied midfielder roughly the same height and size and has that exact blistering speed straight through the stoppage using his grunt work to get the ball and deliver it in great fashion the way Dylan Shiel would. He is a very hardworking kid and will put 110% in even if he is having a bad day. For being a big bodied mid he could slot straight through GWS team and I think he would thrive.
Pick 10 St Kilda- Ben King - Now there could be some talk here (which I love) about why I have St Kilda drafting both King brothers. First of all with Ben King you have Sam Gilbert gone, Hugh Goddard bye bye, Nathan Brown there for experience to young backs who is turning 30 next year, Dylan Roberton who is 28 next year and sadly who knows what could happen with that sad situation with his heart issue and than you have Jake Carlisle who is 28 next year and a young Logan Austin. For high potential and so much room for growth I think adding Ben King along with his brother Max will both benefit each other as they can learn as much as possible and help shape St Kilda on each of there end. It takes KPP a longer time to adjust especially the King brothers who are quite small in size, so with guidance from Carlisle,Austin,Brown and Roberton towards Ben I think he would be a great addition to replace one of them in years to come with experience. Ben is similar to Max and in my eyes I personally think is neck on neck with him if not a tiny better. He can play on both ends either full back or full forward and has the same affect on each end from what I see. From a devastating season to watch for saints fans if I were to draft for potential stars that could help the club for future years I would draft both King brothers if they were to be available and than look for midfielders next year.
Pick 11 Sydney (GWS Bid) - Nick Blakey Syd loses 38,39,40
Pick 12 GWS - Chayce Jones
Pick 13 Geelong - Ian Hill
Pick 14 Adelaide- Jackson Hately
Pick 15 North Melbourne (Fremantle Bid) -Tarryn Thomas
Pick 16 Fremantle - Xavier O’halloran
Pick 17 Port Adelaide - Curtis Taylor
Pick 18 Adelaide - Bailey Williams
Pick 19 Richmond - Luke Valente
Pick 20 Brisbane - Zak Butters
Pick 21 GWS - Jez Mclennan
Pick 22 West Coast - Ely Smith
Round 2 Drafting
Pick 23 Collingwood (ADE Bid) - Isaac Quaynor
Pick 24 Adelaide - Luke English
Pick 25 West Coast - Xavier Duursma
Pick 26 Melbourne - Mitch Maguire
Pick 27 North Melbourne (GC Bid) - Bailey Scott
Pick 28 Gold Coast - Sam Sturt
Pick 29 GWS - Kieran Briggs
Pick 30 Western Bulldogs - Rhylee West
Pick 31 Melbourne - Noah Gown
Pick 32 Gold Coast - Luke Foley
Pick 33 Brisbane - Connor McFadyen
Pick 34 Fremantle - Riley Collier Dawkins
Pick 35- Western Bulldogs - Ed McHenry
Pick 36 Sydney - Jacob Kennerly
Pick 37 Essendon - Jack Bytel
Pick 38 Brisbane - Thomas Berry
Pick 39 St Kilda - Tom Mckenzie
Pick 40 Richmond - Sydney Stack
My top 12 personal best players of this draft
- Izak Rankine
- Jack Lukosius
- Sam Walsh
- Bailey Smith
- Liam Stocker
- Xavier Duursma
- Jack Bytel
- Bailey Scott
- Rhylee West
- Jordan Clark
- Connor Rozee
- Riley Collier Dawkins (Rate him more through potential and not what he is now)
Now to start off I am going to do something completely different and to make this phantom draft even more unique. We all know that live trading has now been introduced to the AFL Draft to add shock and big surprises. Not everything we hear is going to be a cinderella story in which it is so perfect or written to the script. I personally think that this isn't a super draft however there are three super players to choose from and a few above average players but it starts thinning out quickly. Everywhere I am hearing from the media to other phantom drafts being exact the same is that Lukosius and Rozee will go to GC together and Sam Walsh to Carlton. Carlton needs midfielders and for pick 1 Sam Walsh would be a great addition as he is a great midfielder. However Stephen is a smart guy and thinks outside the box and he literally has the power in his hands to change this whole draft by either picking Sam Walsh as Carltons first pick or trade there pick 1 to Gold Coast. There is absolute no way in hell Stephen will be trading pick 1 to Adelaide for picks 8,13 and 16 especially in a draft that slowly weakens. Think of it like this, Gold Coast wants players that will fully commit to the club and not stuff around the club by wanting to go back home or seek elsewhere. Do we really think Gold Coast will want to take the risk on Jack Lukosius and Connor Rozee (who are both great players) at 2 and 3 knowing there could be some flight risk. GC are also looking for more midfielders to welcome in the club and thats where Sam Walsh plays a role. He is the best rated midfielder in this draft and I'm sure Gold Coast have thought about taking him. The positives for him going to GC is that he supports Brisbane Lions which is a Queensland team, he has family connections in Queensland, he has also mentioned that he is not a flight risk which would have GC salivating from their mouths. I have Gold Coast offering pick 2+3 for Carltons pick 1 and possibly a future first rounder for next years draft. Being called a superdraft this whole year and the first possible 1-7 picks touted as super players why wouldn't SOS accept that. He would basically be trading Pick 1 (superpick) and possible next years first which could be anything for two super player picks at 2+3. I think this will happen and change everything. Saints would have the next pick at 4 and anything could happen here. Saints could either keep it and pick one player wisely or what I think will happen is Port or ADE will be throwing picks all around for saints pick 4 so they could pounce on a possible Jack Lukosius or Izak rankine who could be available. I see Port winning this race by trading pick 5 and 10 for St Kildas pick 4 which is a no brainer for St Kilda to accept as they gain pick 5 which is 1 spot ahead of 4th pick and an extra pick of 10. Anything could happen since its live trading but this is how I see and I stand by it. After all this talk I think its time to start the phantom draft and let the show begin.
Round 1 Drafting
Pick 1 Gold Coast - Sam Walsh - I have Sam Walsh going to Gold Coast at pick one because I think GC will try and suss a deal with Carlton to grab their number one pick. If Gold Coast does get first pick I think they will pounce on Sam Walsh 99%. If Carlton keeps there number one pick, its all hyped they will choose Sam Walsh with it because Carlton desperately needs midfielders. It’s like an old saying you think with your willy and not your brain. Do Carlton take Sam Walsh because they need a midfielder or do they take the best player in the draft who is Izak Rankine. This is the only reason I put Sam Walsh here because I have the biggest feeling Gold Coast are going to go all out on pick 1 for Sam Walsh. Now onto Sam Walsh himself, he has been the clear best midfielder this whole season demolishing all opposition. He has a phenomenal work rate and runs all day racking heaps of the ball in every angle and spot he can find it. The ball can be anywhere and you’ll just spot Sam in the background out of nowhere pouncing on the ball and releasing it to his team mates with ease. So smooth getting the ball either from the air or even on the ground he just knows where to be at the right time and wastes no time to use it to his advantage. Whether it be from the inside or outside he has a beautiful run and carry with the ball and disposing it to either team mates or shooting at goal. He has some spurs of Josh Kelly to me which I love and hope he can carry that on to AFL level. Now for the reason why I rate Sam Walsh behind Izak Rankine and Jack Lukosius is because I I feel like you can find a Sam Walsh or a really really good midfielder every year in a draft. Whereas an Izak Rankine or Jack Lukosius with their special talents come once a decade. Jack and Izak have been playing against adults in the SANFL since they were both 16 years old and have been marking there territory ever since. They both actually scored 4 goals in each of their debuts against adults in SANFL which is crazy. If they can do well in SANFL and make names for themselves there than you already know its a good start to the AFL. Not only that but last year when all three Lukosius,Walsh and Rankine played in the under 18s National Champs last year against the older boys, Walsh didn’t look as good as he is now compared to the other two. Walsh averaged 29 disposals in TAC last year and 30 disposals in TAC this year as well as 29 disposals in the National champs this year. However in last years Under 18 National champs he averaged 20 disposals 4 marks and 3 tackles which is good but not as good when he is against bigger and older opposition. Rankine as a small forward averaged 19 disposals 4 marks and 2 tackles which is quite similar stats to Sam Walsh who played inside mid. For me I think he dominated more in his National champs and TAC level due to a weaker draft year compared to last years. Last years group of players were all pretty well built and solid compared to this year with quite a few prospects being light framed. In the end I see Walsh going to GC and I hope he reaches his full potential and becomes a top player to remember because he deserves it.
Pick 2 Carlton - Izak Rankine - If SOS trades pick 1 to GC and they snatch Sam Walsh, without a doubt I do not see Carlton hesitating whatsoever with taking Rankine the best player in this years draft with pick 2. He is one arrogant, cocky son of a gun but I love it because he backs it up all the time. I can’t seem to wrap my finger on why he is not getting as much attention as Walsh or Lukosius has been. He has been in the under 18 All Australian 2 years straights and can get half as much disposals as Sam Walsh yet still dominate and change the game on its head with every skilful move and use of the ball, not making one wrong choice. Izak can randomly kick a ball in any position and different angle on the ground effortlessly yet still does damage and making heads turn. For the height of a 180cm small forward he can leap and take some good pack marks making everyone jump to there seats. He has the most perfect evasiveness and agility to just glide through opposition like a razor sharp knife in soft butter, just cuts through easily. When put in the midfield he can do very well and get quite a few of the contested ball easily, however whats stopping him completely of fulfilling a full mid role is his endurance similar to what Raynor is going through. If he can improve his endurance I can no doubt see him as a massive weapon in the midfield either inside or outside. For now he just does what he does and thats dominate the forward line by kicking plenty of goals with the help of having a complete footy IQ and goal sense. Izak Rankine is exactly what any clubs needs or should have and will be a special addition to Carlton to help them throughout their rebuild and make them more dangerous. Plus if Rankine does go to Carlton it will make it even better since they can rub it Adelaides face. There could definitely be some small flight risk with Rankine but what makes me feel that Rankine would be right at home here is that he looks up to Eddie Betts who is mentoring him and I am sure Eddie would say nothing but amazing words how good Carlton were to him and how he loved the club. It’s a shame what Malthouse did to Eddie, but now the club has a very young list and will have big open arms to Rankine and I can tell you right now he will fit in to the young group so well.
Pick 3 Carlton- Bailey Smith -Carlton are in need of midfielders which is a no brainer, and who I have to replace Sam Walsh if all goes to plan is the next best mid Bailey Smith. Instead of having pick 1 and going for just Sam Walsh with picks 69,71,77 straight after they can trade pick 1 and a possible next years first round for picks 2 and 3 which Carlton can receive the most exciting player and clear best Izak Rankine and midfielder Bailey Smith who is not too far behind Walsh. Add all that up and that is a big win in my eyes instead of just going for Sam Walsh with pick 1. Now on to the point why Bailey Smith is a gun and how he suits Carlton to a tee is the fact he is an absolute all rounder who can play both inside or outside. He has very good vision of the ball and places himself in a perfect position to cleanly demonstrate getting the football by himself and speed off away from the contest and kick to team mates without ease. Not only that but if he sees anyone near the ball that he wants, he will take you out easily with no thoughts holding back. What makes him excel in the outside mid as well is his big tank which allows him to run all day racking the ball and either bringing it down to his team mates in the forward line or even going for goal himself as the kid can affect that scoreboard with his accurate kick. I think Bailey would be a great addition to Carltons young brigade and a nice fact is that he trained with Carlton early on this year during pre season so I think they will know more about him and will have confidence in picking him if they believe they can get something good in return for pick 1.
Pick 4 Port Adelaide - Jack Lukosius - Could Jack be the big slider out of the three super draftees Izak,Sam and himself? The talent is definitely there with Jack but I don’t see Carlton using there pick 1 on him with Carlton slowly emerging that forward line and bringing in Mcgovern. Gold Coast could definitely use a Jack Lukosius in the team but flight risk could be there and I’m sure they will choose Sam Walsh over him who is a certain with no flight risk and a great midfielder that Gold Coast are dying for. This leaves Saint Kilda with pick 4. Do they keep it and pounce on Lukosius rubbing it in Adelaide or Port Adelaides faces as the talks are there is a big resemblance of him to Saint Kilda great Nick Riewoldt who hint hint played for Saint Kilda. Or do they show a little compassion and help out one of Adelaide or Port Adelaide gaining more picks for pick 4. I think the thought of taking a chance on Lukosius at pick 4 is to die for but in the end I assume they will accept a good offer of pick 5 and 10 from Port Adelaide for pick 4 which can help St Kildas list. I rate Jack extremely high as an outstanding player and is ranked number 2 in my personal rankings. There are some talks from some people I hear around that they think he is overrated or possibly being a flop like Jack Watts , let me try and reaffirm you about that. The reason why Jack Watts never reached his full potential is because he lacks self confidence, motivation and is standout lazy. Those 3 things brought him down and with mediocre games building up and up even built those 3 traits higher. Watts doesn’t have the mindset and work rate that Lukosius already excels in. Lukosius has been playing SANFL against adults for 2 years straight dominating which has increased his work rate and surely gave his confidence a boost knowing if he can do well in SANFL he can surely do even better in the AFL when time goes by. Lukosius booted 4 goals in his first SANFL debut, which is nuts so I don’t see what will stop his mindset and pure excellence as a player when he steps in. There is still so much he needs to learn and build on, with his body still not fully developed. He is a very skilled light body forward that will only get better by putting in the hard work to make him built bigger. Look at Franklin and Riewoldt when they first got drafted, they were both skinny praised forwards and that for a reason. Lukosius has great speed and run for the ball as well as a marking machine who hardly drops the ball. As a key forward he has great endurance like a midfielder that allows him to run all day and can even go from the wing to half forward line and just dominate. Jack just knows how to create space with his fantastic vision and footy IQ as well as the fact he can affect the scoreboard with his very precise and accurate kick. If Port Adelaide get pick 4 from St Kilda and use that pick for Jack Lukosius they will be over the moon since earlier in the year he was also training with them in pre season and not Adelaide. With some talent leaving Port Adelaide via AFL trade week I am sure they would be happy receiving Ryan Burton and a possible Jack Lukosius for future years.
Pick 5 St Kilda - Max King - Bye bye pick 4 and welcome pick 5 and 10. With pick 5 warmly welcomed to St Kildas hands they will go for the player they have been helping out in rehabilitation ever since he injured his knee and someone who would replace Lukosius who I’m sure would be on St Kilda radar if he was available at pick 4. I like Max King but I’m not a big fan of his. Yeah sure he is a extremely athletic super tall key forward who can run fast on lead of mark or ground level and played a phenomenal first game to the year in this years TAC having 19 disposals, 9 marks, 2 hitouts and 8 impressive goals which made him shoot up to Pick 1 contention. However I feel his extremely tall height against these young kids is just too good for them, but he doesn’t have that bad of hands with his long giraffe arms. If Max had shorter arms and 6-7cm shorter in height I don’t think he would be rated as he is now, especially if he didn’t have that big first game in TAC. His kicking for me needs work too since sometimes it doesn’t make the distance at all when shot at goal or his targets to team mates miss easily. Although those little faults I still think he is athletically gifted for a tall key forward and reads the ball well also with the help of his big leap taking big marks against an opposition or group of opposition. Still is obviously raw but with experience in the AFL and more bigger body defenders obviously going to go hard at him and push him around like a baby, but it should only build confidence to be better. Lets hope he doesn’t have a weak mindset and have anymore issues with that knee when he joins AFL because if he can show later in his career what he did to Oakleigh chargers than he can be very good.
Pick 6 Gold Coast - Jye Caldwell - Now some people would be thinking what the hell is Jye Caldwell doing here this early at pick 6, well let me explain. If all goes to plan and GC do go for pick 1 from Carlton to take Sam Walsh, than I think they will also add Jye Caldwell at pick 6 to pair with Sam Walsh since GC are starting all over in rebuilding draftees and I only see them drafting mid talent early on. Not only that but Sam Walsh and Jye Caldwell are good friends and played together at Vic Country as well as both not being flight risk at all. Last year I posted towards this years talent and only boasting for two players I was very excited about and they were both Sam Walsh and Jye Caldwell, I think my earlier thoughts are giving me a hint they are going to play with each other. Before Jyes bad run of injuries this year he showed why he was a top 10 contention pick with his amazing athletic background. He did boxing with my younger brother and I know for a fact this kid is extremely athletic, hardworking, mongrel characteristics, big work ethic and very driven to high expectations. His got great spurts of speed which help him burst through the inside and use his grunt and fast hands to grab the ball and distribute it away safely to his team mates. He reminds me a bit of this years norm smith medallist Luke Shuey who has those great spurts of speed through stoppages and doesn’t care who you are he will just tackle you to get that ball, also dragging the ball to the forward line and taking shots. If Gold Coast really want to rebuild and build a young list from fresh I think they should take young midfielders early on for this year who are not flight risks and will put everything in for an opportunity and to try and get the best out of GC and I believe both Sam Walsh and Jye Caldwell fit that perfectly.
Pick 7 Western Bulldogs - Jordan Clark - One of my favourite clubs who remind me of myself ahem (Brisbane and Melbourne now taking over) who think outside the box and draft some guys you wouldn’t expect that just flourish and really settles in with the style the club is going for. I was extremely close to putting Ben King here who I personally think would suit WB to a tee as Dale Morris’s time is nearly up and Marcus Adams sent off to Brisbane. However WB recruiters like to go more with there own flow and formula by going a little more outside the box that can benefit and help the team. I did like Ed Richards in last years draft because even though he didn’t get the ball that much he used it very well and some parts reminded me of Heath Shaw and when WB drafted him I was shocked but not shocked at the same time knowing WB. Ed Richards did not look out of place in the club too and when they gave him stints at half forward he looked really good. With both Easton Wood and Matt Suckling not getting their bodies right and ageing seems to me they should add a great attacking half back to slot right through the team. They added Duryea into the list to help out the back and give some experience since he is a two time Premiership player, but I don’t think that will be enough. They even used Caleb Daniel in the half back near end this year which to be honest he didn’t look too shabby. I think though WB will draft Jordan Clark who I have been watching very closely past 3 weeks and I rate him really highly considering he is underrated. He reminds me of a less polished Harry Perryman but still a gun. I love the way he just goes all out in the backline and can put himself in any position to be found and get the ball to his own advantage. The way he reads the ball and than delivers it smoothly with his calm demeanour is really soothing to watch. He has nice clean hands and backs it up with a thumping kick straight to his team mates. He tackles a bit but Im not that much of a fan of his tackles I am more of a fan of the pressure he gives to his opponents that make them feel really uncomfortable and nervous to the point its easy to get the ball off of them. I see Jordan Clark,Bailey Williams and Ed Richards teaming up together and making that half back shine.
Pick 8 Adelaide - Connor Rozee - Although Adelaide are really keen to get Lukosius or Rankine I just don’t see it happening with picks 8,13,16,21 available unless maybe a next years draft pick could be involved somewhere but at this rate I think they will keep all picks. I have mr composure Conor Rozee slotting into Adelaide’s side in which I think they will be very happy with. Connor is one of the most composed players in this draft its unbelievable. I would love to see him get more of the ball because every time he touches the ball he knows exactly how to get rid of it to perfection whether it be in the most under pressure circumstances or even straight mid air. He is extremely talented and athletic and just looks great either on the ground or in the air leaping to mark or quickly handball to a team mate accurately from mid air. Has nice speed and evasiveness and can just offload the ball to safety. Can play many positions and if his endurance can be built more on I think I’d like to see him as a half back or winger.
Pick 9 GWS - Liam Stocker - It was between two picks for me here and they were both Liam Stocker and Riley Collier Dawkins. I think both players would do so well here as they are inside midfielders in which in GWS case they did lose Dylan Shiel and Will setterfield plus outside runner Tom Scully. I rate both of these kids high as they are in my top 10 personal favourites, but with Riley Collier Dawkins even though I see nothing but a gun player who has heaps of room for improvement I see the same issue what stocker has which is his endurance. They both lack endurance as inside mids but between the two I think RCD is the one with the worst endurance and he racks less of the ball than stocker does. RCD uses the ball extremely well and doesn’t waste a possession and he has blistering spurts of speed which is awesome for a kid his height and weight, but overall I think his endurance and the fact he can go missing sometimes in a game which can badly effect his ball gets will bring RCD in my eyes around the 20s-mid 30s even the the talent he possess. Onto Stocker I rate him as a very strong inside mid and in fact since losing Setterfield and Shiel I think Stocker would be a great get and potentially take Shiels role in years to come with progression. Quite similar to Shiel he is a big bodied midfielder roughly the same height and size and has that exact blistering speed straight through the stoppage using his grunt work to get the ball and deliver it in great fashion the way Dylan Shiel would. He is a very hardworking kid and will put 110% in even if he is having a bad day. For being a big bodied mid he could slot straight through GWS team and I think he would thrive.
Pick 10 St Kilda- Ben King - Now there could be some talk here (which I love) about why I have St Kilda drafting both King brothers. First of all with Ben King you have Sam Gilbert gone, Hugh Goddard bye bye, Nathan Brown there for experience to young backs who is turning 30 next year, Dylan Roberton who is 28 next year and sadly who knows what could happen with that sad situation with his heart issue and than you have Jake Carlisle who is 28 next year and a young Logan Austin. For high potential and so much room for growth I think adding Ben King along with his brother Max will both benefit each other as they can learn as much as possible and help shape St Kilda on each of there end. It takes KPP a longer time to adjust especially the King brothers who are quite small in size, so with guidance from Carlisle,Austin,Brown and Roberton towards Ben I think he would be a great addition to replace one of them in years to come with experience. Ben is similar to Max and in my eyes I personally think is neck on neck with him if not a tiny better. He can play on both ends either full back or full forward and has the same affect on each end from what I see. From a devastating season to watch for saints fans if I were to draft for potential stars that could help the club for future years I would draft both King brothers if they were to be available and than look for midfielders next year.
Pick 11 Sydney (GWS Bid) - Nick Blakey Syd loses 38,39,40
Pick 12 GWS - Chayce Jones
Pick 13 Geelong - Ian Hill
Pick 14 Adelaide- Jackson Hately
Pick 15 North Melbourne (Fremantle Bid) -Tarryn Thomas
Pick 16 Fremantle - Xavier O’halloran
Pick 17 Port Adelaide - Curtis Taylor
Pick 18 Adelaide - Bailey Williams
Pick 19 Richmond - Luke Valente
Pick 20 Brisbane - Zak Butters
Pick 21 GWS - Jez Mclennan
Pick 22 West Coast - Ely Smith
Round 2 Drafting
Pick 23 Collingwood (ADE Bid) - Isaac Quaynor
Pick 24 Adelaide - Luke English
Pick 25 West Coast - Xavier Duursma
Pick 26 Melbourne - Mitch Maguire
Pick 27 North Melbourne (GC Bid) - Bailey Scott
Pick 28 Gold Coast - Sam Sturt
Pick 29 GWS - Kieran Briggs
Pick 30 Western Bulldogs - Rhylee West
Pick 31 Melbourne - Noah Gown
Pick 32 Gold Coast - Luke Foley
Pick 33 Brisbane - Connor McFadyen
Pick 34 Fremantle - Riley Collier Dawkins
Pick 35- Western Bulldogs - Ed McHenry
Pick 36 Sydney - Jacob Kennerly
Pick 37 Essendon - Jack Bytel
Pick 38 Brisbane - Thomas Berry
Pick 39 St Kilda - Tom Mckenzie
Pick 40 Richmond - Sydney Stack
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